tester

1 of 4

noun (1)

test·​er ˈte-stər How to pronounce tester (audio)
: one that tests or is used for testing

tester

2 of 4

noun (2)

tes·​ter ˈtē-stər How to pronounce tester (audio) ˈte- How to pronounce tester (audio)
: the canopy over a bed, pulpit, or altar

tester

3 of 4

noun (3)

tes·​ter ˈte-stər How to pronounce tester (audio)
: teston sense a

teston

4 of 4

noun (4)

tes·​ton ˈte-ˌstän How to pronounce teston (audio)
variants or testoon
te-ˈstün How to pronounce teston (audio)
or less commonly tester
ˈte-stər How to pronounce teston (audio)
: any of several old European coins: such as
a
: a shilling of Henry VIII of England decreasing in value to ninepence and then to sixpence in Shakespeare's time
b
: a French silver coin of the 16th century worth between 10 and 14½ sous

Examples of tester in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
This French onion pasta side dish is loaded with deep, savory flavors that our recipe testers adored. — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 July 2026 Our staff and testers A beauty product is a personal purchase. — Sara Coughlin, Allure, 5 July 2026 Once robotaxis move beyond early testers and start picking up more riders, small things suddenly become important. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026 Naturally, there's a need for communication between players and testers. — ABC News, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for tester

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Middle English, headboard of a bed, canopy, from Anglo-French, from teste head, from Late Latin testa skull, from Latin, shell

Noun (3)

modification of Middle French testart, from teston

Noun (4)

Middle French, from Old Italian testone, augmentative of testa head, from Late Latin, skull — more at tester entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1661, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1546, in the meaning defined above

Noun (4)

1536, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tester was in the 14th century

Rhymes for tester

See All Rhymes for tester

Browse Nearby Words

testee
tester
tester bed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tester.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tester. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tester

1 of 2 noun
tes·​ter ˈtēs-tər How to pronounce tester (audio) ˈtes- How to pronounce tester (audio)
: a canopy or a frame for a canopy over a bed, pulpit, or altar

tester

2 of 2 noun
test·​er
ˈtes-tər
: one that tests

More from Merriam-Webster on tester

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tester

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